First Spring Grass Fire

Rae, a young queer person growing up in rural Alberta, faces many conflicts: being raised in a very strict Pentecostal family, a schizophrenic father that destroys the family, bullying at school, and searching for their identity. Rae’s coming-of-age story is about risking everything important in life – faith, family, friendship – to finally find self-acceptance and acceptance from others. This engaging read for grades 10-12 is suitable as a whole class, literature circle, or independent study and deals with real-life themes, including questioning faith and family, self-identity, finding acceptance, bullying, gender roles, and mental illness which can launch important discussions.